Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-05

now looking out for purchaser
for the MS, and means TO turn
The proceeds over 20 Mrs. Tunstall 10
reimburse her, in part, for the large sums
she has expended in his behalf. Whatever
he has to say hereafter will be incorporated
IN this book, and the whole will be copy
righted.
Prisoners mother and father will soon
visit him. His mother is in the feebest
SOFT Of health.
The Appeal for Cluvcrius.
IIndex.Appeal, Of Petersburg.l
a reporter OF the IndeT appeal yesterday
interviewed Messrs. Robert McCandlsh
and w. II. Jordan, members OF the Legis.
aiure from Petersburg, and also Hon. A.
W. Harris, member from Dinwiddie coun-
ty, IN reference to the circulars sent TO the
members OF The Legislature by Willie Clu-
yerius in behalf Of his brother.
Mr. McCandlish was the first member
seen. Being asked by the reporter for his
opinion. he said "I have no opinion TO
express for publication"
Mr.. Harris (colored) was the next men,
ber interviewed. He said 81 think that
the evidence adduced upon the trial was
not sufficient TO justify the conviction OF
Cluverius, and II he is hanged he will be
hanged TO satisfy popular clamOr. A com.
mutation OF sentence is q matter that ] do
not think the Legislature has anything to
do with, and what Mr.. Carter Harrison
SAYS about the action OF the jury certainly
raises grave doubt as 10 their ability to
properly pass upon facts which justify the
taking OF theAife Of human beng. The
doubt being bsed, am certainly Of the
opinion that, according 10 the genius OF
our laws, the prisoner should have the
bere6t OF the doubt. and were in a posi-
tion 10 act | should certainly give mm that
benefit
MIR. W. II. Jordan (colore0: 81 think
thai Cluyerius was convicted upon ctrcum'
stantial evidence, and that it is wrong 10
hang man upon such evidence. / think
his conviction was brought about by pOpu-
lar clamor for sympathy for the alleged
murdered woman. | do not think the
Legislature has any authority TO act in the
ease. The only thing, in my opinion, that
the Legislature could do would be to frame
a resolution TO be sent to Governor Lee re-
questng him to commute the sentence
The laws of Virginia give to the prisoner
the benefit of every doubt, and, in my opin-
ion, there is a very grave doubt that Fan
ME Lillian Madison was murdered by Gu
verius. do not think that after the case
had been heard the Governor should have
had the famous watch-key opened"
Hon. Edgar Allan, of Richmond, passed
through Petersburg on Sunday morning
en- route TO Farmville. He was seen at the
depot by the reporter, and, IN the course
OF conversation, said that he had seen
CluveTius several times recently, and that
he did not believe that he was guilty OF the
murder. In Mr.. Allan's opinion the wO.
man committed suicide. Mr.. Allan stated
that Cluyerius would leave a biography OF
himself and the woman he is charged with
having murdered.
PardODtBg Power - Legislative aud
Executive.
The following communication has been
sent Us by gentleman who says, ifmemOry
serves him correctly, the historical part OF
II is substantially what was impaired to
him by one who was IN the House OF Dele
gates at the time referred TO in the commu-
nication, and was himself moved TO tears
by the touching appeal for mercy:
RICHMOND, January 3, 1887.
Messrs. EdtOrs,-A good deal is being
said about the power OF the Legislature iD
the matter Of pardons. l will recite state
ment made TO me by gentleman which
may be interesting:
Many years ago Gt was not under the
present State constitution)a lady applied ~
person to the Governor for pardon for her
husband, who was then in the penitentiary.
The Governor refused the application. She
thereupon immediately presented herself
in the Office OF the clerk OF the House OF
Delegates. Colonel George Wythe MunfOrd,
clerk, and asked him who was an inlluen
tial member Of the Legislature, it then be.
ing III session. Just then Mr.. j. Thompson
Brown. delegate q think from Peters
buro), came into the clerks office, and the
lady threw herself on her knees before him
and begged him to listen TO her petition for
mercy. lie was deeply impressed with the
earneStneSs OF the wife o! the man In
prison, and Mr.. Brown asked the clerk to
write him "A resolution that would bring the
matter before the House and give it 10 him
on his return from his committee. When
the House assembled al noon on the day OF
tbe lady's interview with Mr.. Brown
many senators were in the House, probably
drawn there bY having heard tnaf the sub
iect OF pardon might be brought up. \
special order was on the calendar, and being
called Mr.. Brown addressed the Chair Mr.
Linn Banks (of Madison, think, Speaker
and asked postpOnement OF the order,
which request the House agreed 10. Mr.
Brown offered the resolution, and followed
its introduction with a speech repete with
eloquence, which, together with the ami
mated spirit that he exhibited in advocacy
OF the resolution, carried the proposition
with great unanimty. Ny informant told
me that Speaker aud Clerk and members
were moved 10 tears, some seb6ing aloud,
their sympatbies beng so much awakened
by the clOquence OF the orator ~ the occa-
sion. Almost Immediately after the adOp
tiOn Of the resolution by the House thf
senators, with remarkable simultaneous
action, arose and repaired 10 their chamber,
and with unanmity similar to that OF tn
House, agreed TO The resolution, and the
husband OF the devoted wife, who but
few hours past was behind the prison bars,
was soon shaking hands with the members
of the Legislature and expressing gratitude
for their kind intereession."
Now, Messrs. Editors, you will observe
that it is said the Governor refused the ap-
plication for pardon. but the Legislature
gave favorable response TO the wife's Pc
tition and the husband was set free. can
not say whether the Legislature as we'll a
the Governor ever had the pardoning
power, It Joay have been that the Gov
eInor, ,fnnuenced Dy lne action Of the Le
gislatiye department Of the Cove. nment.
pardoned the prisoner. Who can tell Us
through your columns anything about the
case OF which have written
Ciuvsrus.
iFrom dortons Biographical DlctioDary.i
Cluyier or Cluverus Phillip a learned
scholar OF the seventeenth century. Uo
was native OF Dantzie, and was N, nv
his father to Leyden, where he was INDUCED
by the advice Of the younger Scal ger N an.
ply himself particularly to the $ .ndv Of o..
ogrsphy. Not choosing 10 az .ont the LEGAL
profession for which he wa intended. he
entered into the Imperial INV and served
two years ip The wars Of , .ohemis and Hun
gary. He then traye' ,cJ in Fnel,nd.
France, Germany, anf Sns,, after which
le ss,.'cu =. Ls!oep where he died In 1923,
'esu lor.s .'ntes' fis principal works are
!. 's,n'aum .n1,nma emu sua--sicllia Antlqua-itai'
"a s.,a., n,ns'iu1, 4ei9, folio, and an "intro
n,n,a au,..1h. @ ~ a. .eient and Modern Geography,
Nui,h va" a pt,sthumous publication and